The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that two Ukrainian Chinese citizens were arrested on suspicion of attempting to steal missile designs. However, details remain sparse as Beijing stated it is still “checking the information.”
This arrest, disclosed by Kiev earlier this week, adds to the growing tensions between China and Ukraine. Prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the two countries maintained strong ties, with Ukraine participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Moreover, Volodymyr Zelensky has continuously invited Chinese businesses to invest in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s diplomatic relationship with China has deteriorated, particularly as China has become one of Russia’s primary clients for oil and other resources. The Ukrainian president highlighted in April how China’s support for Russia has expanded beyond economic means to military involvement, even alleging that Chinese citizens were fighting alongside Russian forces.
Typically, China’s foreign ministry rebuts accusations of espionage or unlawful intelligence activities. Nevertheless, spokesperson Mao Zedong said it’s too early to provide a definitive answer regarding the arrested Chinese citizens. She also did not confirm their alleged involvement in the situation.
“China is verifying the information. If Chinese citizens are involved, we will defend their legal rights and interests according to the law,” she stated.
The Ukrainian Security Services (SBU) reported the arrests, identifying a 24-year-old former Chinese student and his father, who frequently visits Ukraine and is reportedly linked to Chinese security forces. According to Ukrainian prosecutors, they possess stolen documents related to the Neptune Cruise missile, a weapon developed and utilized during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
If convicted, the individual could face a sentence of up to 15 years.
Kiev has increasingly criticized China for its close ties with Russia, claiming its involvement benefits Moscow. In May, Ukrainian officials alleged that China was supplying Russia with chemicals and technical materials used for weapon and military equipment manufacturing.
“There are indications that China supplies machine tools, special chemicals, and gunpowder, especially for defense manufacturing,” a Ukrainian intelligence chief remarked during an interview, mentioning that they had reviewed data regarding 20 Russian factories.
About a month ago, Zelensky shared images on social media, suggesting that Chinese fighters were taking part in direct hostilities against Ukraine.
The individual “had documents, passports, and even credit cards. They are Chinese citizens,” asserted Zelensky.
The details released did not clarify whether the man was a mercenary or a soldier from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Zelensky emphasized the significance of the presence of Chinese citizens in the conflict, deeming it “important” and “urgent.”
“Chinese individuals are engaging in combat on Ukrainian soil, and I think this is a crucial point for discussion with our partners,” he wrote. “This situation is urgent. We recognize our strength, but we can’t contend with several countries simultaneously.”
In addition to Chinese mercenaries, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to support the Russian government amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks. The North Korean government signed a mutual defense agreement with Russia in June 2024. Additionally, Ukrainian officials claim tens of thousands from Cuba are present on the frontlines. While the Cuban government does not openly acknowledge troop deployments, Russian social media is rife with pro-Moscow narratives about Cuban citizens fighting against Ukraine.
Before the large-scale Russian invasion, Zelensky was notably friendly toward Chinese interests, inviting China to utilize Ukraine as a “bridge to Europe” in 2021 and offering to assist Russia in reconstruction efforts.
In a 2022 discussion, he expressed a desire to “speak directly” with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, indicating that he believed Beijing could persuade Russia to refrain from further aggression.
“China is a powerful nation with a strong economy and can exert political and economic influence over Russia. It’s a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” Zelensky remarked at the time, stressing that the invasion violated Ukrainian territory.
China’s overall contribution to the conflict includes a white paper titled “Political Reconciliation of the Ukrainian Crisis.” While officials described it as a peace roadmap, concrete solutions to resolve the situation were lacking. The paper vaguely suggested that both Russia and Ukraine should “settle promptly” and advised “rationality and restraint.”
Both Russia and Ukraine have largely disregarded China’s “peace plan.”
